Contract awarded for highway upgrade

Roads and Maritime Services has selected a contractor to deliver main civil work for the Devils Pulpit to Richmond River section of the Woolgoolga and Ballina Pacific Highway upgrade in northern New South Wales.

CIMIC Group company, CBP Contractors will deliver a 34km Pacific Highway upgrade linking the Maclean to Devils Pulpit section to the south and the Richmond River to Ballina Bypass section in the north, and forms part of the $4.36 billion Woolgoolga to Ballina upgrade – Australia’s largest regional infrastructure project.

The Woolgoolga to Ballina project will duplicate 155km of the Pacific Highway to a four-lane divided road. The project starts about six kilometers north of Woolgoolga (north of Coffs Harbour) and ends about six kilometers south of Ballina.

Work includes upgrading the Pacific Highway to two lanes in each direction, building seven new bridges, and associated road works consisting of ground treatments, earthworks and road surfacing.

Federal Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, Darren Chester, said, “This is Australia’s largest regional road infrastructure project, and certainly the biggest generator of jobs in the region, keeping money flowing through the region’s economy and supporting local families.

“When complete in 2020 the fully duplicated highway will reduce travel times – and it is already reducing fatalities which have halved since the mid-1990s thanks to works undertaken to date.”

NSW Minister for Roads, Maritime and Freight, Melinda Pavey, said major civil contracts were also recently awarded for work between Richmond River and Ballina Bypass, and between Glenugie and Maclean, helping keep the upgrade on target to open by 2020.

“The main civil work contract between Devils Pulpit and Richmond River involves delivering earthwork, some soft soil treatment north of Woodburn, drainage, some road surfaces, two underpasses and four overpasses to provide access for local traffic,” Mrs Pavey said.

CIMIC Chief Executive Officer, Adolfo Valderas, said, “Our strong track record of delivering new and improved major roads initiatives strongly positions CIMIC and CPB Contractors for projects such as significant upgrades of the Pacific Highway.

“Using our world-class expertise and local experience we will help improve the safety and efficiency of this important transport network, and create a more sustainable road system for people and communities.”

CPB Contractors Managing Director, Juan Santamaria, said, “Our team is committed to using proven traffic management and innovative building methodologies to minimise disruption and maximise safety for road users during the major works.

“Through our highly experienced approach to project management and procurement, we’ll deliver public value and increased opportunities for local workers and businesses.

“We look forward to working closely with other contractors, Roads and Maritime and its delivery partner Pacific Complete to build this section of the upgrade.”

Major works are expected to start in October 2017 and be completed by 2020.